Lesley Holst joined the LEGO Foundation in 2017 where she leads the early childhood education initiatives for children aged 3-6 years. This includes a portfolio of partnerships across Africa, Asia and Latin America. She is based at the Foundation’s HQ in Denmark.

Prior to joining the LEGO Foundation, she worked in international development in Africa for 15 years, designing and leading early childhood, education and child protection programs focused on vulnerable children, including 10 years working for Save the Children in Malawi and Mozambique.

She has a background in social anthropology and has conducted research on early childhood and youth programs in marginalized Maori communities in New Zealand.